Heavy rainfall predicted as Warragamba Dam close to spilling
A dark cloud blanketing over our harbour city, an ominous warning of the weekend to come. The Bureau of Meteorology predicting heavy rainfall of up to 50 millimetres and thunderstorms across Sydney’s coast tomorrow. With flash flooding forecast for parts of the South Coast, the Illawarra and the Southern table lands, it is most likely going to be falling around part of the early part of the day, with that focus shifting further South into parts of the Illawarra by the afternoon. At the Marrickville unit, the SES team was taking no chances, checking the chainsaws and packing their bags. These last minute checks are crucial for these SES volunteers ahead of what could be a busy weekend with extreme weather forecast. And now they’re asking people at home to also be prepared. People need to heed their warnings, be aware of the evacuation routes, make sure that they keep an eye on the conditions and the road conditions, but also if they are asked to evacuate, that they evacuate early. Warragamba Dam is already nearing capacity. That, coupled with the latest forecast for heavy rain, means another spill is predicted in the coming days. But the spill rate won’t be as intense as what we saw last month, with around 40 gigalitres predicted per day compared to 200 per day in April. Not in the order of magnitude compared to what we’ve seen in past months. With that looming threat, the government today launching a campaign targeted at residents in the Hawkesbury PN, urging them to heed the warnings. When they come, are you staying where you’re going in Marrickville? Masilia Isley 9 News.